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Career Information @ TCC
Resumes - Types
TYPES
OF RESUMES
Chronological Resume
The chronological is the
most common resume format. It lists your most recent job at the top of the page,
then continues down your earliest job. Chronological resumes can range from
simple career summary to a more elaborate description of work responsibilities.
This format is effective when you have a continuous employment history and your
past experience related directly to the positions for which you are applying.
Chronological is a good
choice when:
- You've worked a while
in your chosen field, and you want to call attention to your very stable work
history.
- You want to call attention
to consistent upward mobility and promotions in your career.
- You are applying for
a job in a conservative field where a traditional format is expected.
- You think your next employer
would be more comfortable with a traditional-looking resume.
If you choose a chronological
resume, be sure you don't load it down with deadly boring job duties starting
off with "responsibilities included"! Make sure, instead, that you
show what you accomplished on each job and how your actions benefited your company.
Focus particularly on activities that are similar to what you want to do in
your new job, things you can get jazzed about when you discuss them in the job
interview.
Functional Resume
The functional resume highlights
your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. It lists things
you're good at and things you've accomplished at the top of the page, then summarizes
the jobs you've held at the end. The functional format is effective when you
are switching fields or industries.
Functional is a good choice
when:
- You have little or no
paid work experience.
- You are making a significant
career change.
- Your job titles don't
do justice to your abilities, accomplishments and responsibilities.
- You want to draw attention
to your skills that apply to your future job goals, and play down your past
job content.
- Your best accomplishments
and most impressive work experiences were not very recent, but are drawn from
jobs you held farther back in time.
- You have limited experience
or have gaps in your employment history.
If you choose a functional
resume, be sure to focus on the skills that support your new job goal.
Combination Resume
The combination resume uses
aspects of both the chronological and functional formats. It lists your jobs
from most recent to earliest, then highlights responsibilities and accomplishments
within each job listed. This combined approach is effective when you have held
several jobs with significant responsibilities and accomplishments.
Specific types of resumes:
Are cover letters necessary?
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